500 Calories a day??

Kaylee_law_123
Kaylee_law_123 Posts: 450 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
According to the Doctor I saw yesterday this is what I should be eating ...

And that the 500 calories shouldn't include any fruit as it is "too calorie rich".

Apparently I should lose about 1kg per week this way.

Let's be clear - I don't intend on following this advice. I eat about 1200 a day and that sometimes leaves me feeling like I need more.

Just curious as to whether anyone has ever tried something so drastic and where it got them (hospital?!?!?!?!?).
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Replies

  • arenad
    arenad Posts: 142 Member
    Wow, coming from a doctor. No never went down that far. 1,200 for me too.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    You sure it wasn't the receptionist in a white coat just playing with you?

    My mind is blown.
  • lmweese
    lmweese Posts: 2 Member
    You need a new Doctor.....
  • michael300891
    michael300891 Posts: 275
    Not sure what your weight is, but unless your about to keel over from cardiac arrest then the doctor is an idiot.

    Vast majority of people would not last more than a week on 500kcal without losing motivation, it's unrealistic, dangerous and uninformed advice coming from an apparent figure of authority on the issue.
  • grrawritsjordi
    grrawritsjordi Posts: 14
    That seems a little ridiculous.. Is this for any specific reason? Certain blood work/physical coming up? I don't see this as being something you could do. I feel like the body would need at least 1000-1200 just to function. I am on a 1200 calorie diet and I agree with you, I sometimes feel like I still need more food and I drink water all day long to try and make me feel fuller.

    I do not think 500 is a good number for calories. I had half of a sub wrap today and it was almost 500 by itself and it definitely didn't fill me up.
  • 1PatientBear
    1PatientBear Posts: 2,089 Member
    Yeah, you need a new doctor Kaylee. Frickin Aussie quacks.... :grumble: :grumble: :grumble:










    :wink:
  • lisajsund
    lisajsund Posts: 366 Member
    Maybe 500 calories per meal, not for the whole day. :-)
  • redog01
    redog01 Posts: 22
    I have done this but it was a 3 day on 4 day off, with the 4 days eating sensibly and the 3 days on were very specific foods in very specific amounts. And no I didn't end up in the hospital.
  • Kaylee_law_123
    Kaylee_law_123 Posts: 450 Member
    Well I went to her for a second opinion, particularly as my thyroid is "sluggish". I gave her my long history of trying to lose weight, blood tests other doctors had taken, hormone tests my naturopath had done, a diet plan a dietician had done for me.

    I was in shock when she said it, and I got out and "lost it", more so as I'm getting married in 3 weeks and I felt as though she was saying I was so ridiculously fat that I should need something so drastic to lose weight.

    Now I'm currently a US Size 10/ Aus Size 12 (Although my wedding dress is a US Size 8, so I'm pretty happy with that lol). I don't think I qualify as morbidly obese, but she certainly made me feel that way.

    She followed this advice by saying if 500 calories a day doesn't work for me I should consider lap band surgery or the like. Again, made me feel as though I was as big as some of those people I see in documentary's that need to break down walls of their house to get them out of there!!!
  • postrockandcats
    postrockandcats Posts: 1,145 Member
    According to the Doctor I saw yesterday this is what I should be eating ...

    And that the 500 calories shouldn't include any fruit as it is "too calorie rich".

    Apparently I should lose about 1kg per week this way.

    Let's be clear - I don't intend on following this advice. I eat about 1200 a day and that sometimes leaves me feeling like I need more.

    Just curious as to whether anyone has ever tried something so drastic and where it got them (hospital?!?!?!?!?).

    I actually started laughing when I read the fruit thing. So, when are you finding a new doctor? :laugh:
  • grrawritsjordi
    grrawritsjordi Posts: 14
    A US size 8 is not big at all! That is right in the middle of our sizes, if I am not mistaken.
  • traceywoody
    traceywoody Posts: 233 Member
    You need a new Doctor.....

    Definitely need a new Doctor. Ridiculous advice.
  • lrmall01
    lrmall01 Posts: 377 Member
    Was he telling you to do the 5:2 diet, which is pretty popular at the moment? The 500 calorie target is not every day. It is basically an intermittent fasting set up.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5:2_diet

    Edit:
    Nevermind - Just saw your second comment and it is clear now that they want you to feel like you can't lose weight so that you will come back and get a lap band. I'm on the "find a new doc" crew now.
  • cruzcrzyMarie
    cruzcrzyMarie Posts: 251 Member
    Well I went to her for a second opinion, particularly as my thyroid is "sluggish". I gave her my long history of trying to lose weight, blood tests other doctors had taken, hormone tests my naturopath had done, a diet plan a dietician had done for me.

    I was in shock when she said it, and I got out and "lost it", more so as I'm getting married in 3 weeks and I felt as though she was saying I was so ridiculously fat that I should need something so drastic to lose weight.

    Now I'm currently a US Size 10/ Aus Size 12 (Although my wedding dress is a US Size 8, so I'm pretty happy with that lol). I don't think I qualify as morbidly obese, but she certainly made me feel that way.

    She followed this advice by saying if 500 calories a day doesn't work for me I should consider lap band surgery or the like. Again, made me feel as though I was as big as some of those people I see in documentary's that need to break down walls of their house to get them out of there!!!

    OH MY. This doctor is WACK-A-DOODLE, seriously..............
  • DiamondRubyMom
    DiamondRubyMom Posts: 147 Member
    Size 10 is my goal size. I know it's hard but shrug it off and think about finding a new doc.
  • moniker_74
    moniker_74 Posts: 16 Member
    If you are size 10 you don't come close to needing lap band surgery - you wouldn't even qualify for it! I think you really need a new doctor! Eat sensibly and exercise, that's it!
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Need more context.

    How much weight do you need to lose?

    Was there a plan on meeting nutrient requirements, etc?
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Maybe 500 calories per meal, not for the whole day. :-)

    ^^^This. Otherwise I would really question your "doctor's" credentials. Did she also try to sell you on HCG?
  • hkristine1
    hkristine1 Posts: 950 Member
    She followed this advice by saying if 500 calories a day doesn't work for me I should consider lap band surgery or the like. Again, made me feel as though I was as big as some of those people I see in documentary's that need to break down walls of their house to get them out of there!!!


    Does SHE do this kind of surgery? Seems like a business savvy doctor ("hmmmm... if I can convince people of "normal" weight that they are obese and when I recommend eating 500 calories so their bodies go into starvation mode and they will necessarily FAIL, they will come back to me and I'll be able to make a bunch of MONEY by giving them a risky surgery they don't actually need!")
  • mungowungo
    mungowungo Posts: 327 Member
    Good God! Lap band surgery and you're a size 12 - damn that's my goal.

    I'd be getting a new doctor.
  • Kaylee_law_123
    Kaylee_law_123 Posts: 450 Member
    Need more context.

    How much weight do you need to lose?

    Was there a plan on meeting nutrient requirements, etc?

    I need to lose about 10kg, well at least that is what I want to do, as it would get me to wear I have felt comfortable before.

    There was no nutrient requirements, just a blanket "500 calories a day" statement.
  • Kaylee_law_123
    Kaylee_law_123 Posts: 450 Member
    Thanks for everyone's support, nice to know I wasn't the only one that felt she was a bit crazy for this advice. Guess I needed to hear it from other people though!!
  • cheripugh1
    cheripugh1 Posts: 357 Member
    Well I went to her for a second opinion, particularly as my thyroid is "sluggish". I gave her my long history of trying to lose weight, blood tests other doctors had taken, hormone tests my naturopath had done, a diet plan a dietician had done for me.

    I was in shock when she said it, and I got out and "lost it", more so as I'm getting married in 3 weeks and I felt as though she was saying I was so ridiculously fat that I should need something so drastic to lose weight.

    Now I'm currently a US Size 10/ Aus Size 12 (Although my wedding dress is a US Size 8, so I'm pretty happy with that lol). I don't think I qualify as morbidly obese, but she certainly made me feel that way.

    She followed this advice by saying if 500 calories a day doesn't work for me I should consider lap band surgery or the like. Again, made me feel as though I was as big as some of those people I see in documentary's that need to break down walls of their house to get them out of there!!!

    at either of these sizes (10/12) you are not obese at any view. you might be slightly over idea weight but that's it... I am wondering if the most you'd need to lose to fit that size 8 is to lose 10 lbs. or less which would be a short term drastic reduction in calories since it is so near date.

    I believe that the comment about lap-band was meant as a joke... even the worse Dr. knows that you would need to gain 100 lbs. to qualify for that!
  • Swiftdogs
    Swiftdogs Posts: 328 Member
    Thanks for everyone's support, nice to know I wasn't the only one that felt she was a bit crazy for this advice. Guess I needed to hear it from other people though!!

    I'd say more than "a bit" crazy. I'll echo those that think she's trying to sell lap band surgery. At your size, your deficit should be about 500 calories.
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    I'm glad you have no intention of following this advice. I have heard of people with extremely slow metabolisms who function on that sort of caloric intake, but that is extremely rare!

    What worries me is that a doctor makes such a bold statement as 'eat 500 cals per day' but offers no further guidance about macro composition of the diet or how to ensure adequate nutrition in such a small amount of food.

    Time for another opinion I think.
  • Hitesc
    Hitesc Posts: 86 Member
    Uh are you sure that "doctor" you went to has a valid licence? Stuff I'm learning in university says should be minimum 1200.... >.> Are you sure that doctor didn't print their licence LOL
  • CodeMonkey78
    CodeMonkey78 Posts: 320 Member
    According to the Doctor I saw yesterday this is what I should be eating ...

    And that the 500 calories shouldn't include any fruit as it is "too calorie rich".

    Apparently I should lose about 1kg per week this way.

    Let's be clear - I don't intend on following this advice. I eat about 1200 a day and that sometimes leaves me feeling like I need more.

    Just curious as to whether anyone has ever tried something so drastic and where it got them (hospital?!?!?!?!?).

    Find a new doctor..
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    You need to find your countries version of the state medical board and turn her in.

    That person should NOT be practicing medicine....period.
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    wtf. NEVER EVER EVER go that doctor again!!!! Even 1200 is considered extremely low. If you are at 1200 you should be eating back any calories burned!!!
  • uconnwinsnc
    uconnwinsnc Posts: 1,054 Member
    I have this suspicious that you misunderstood the doctor. You sure he didn't suggest a 500 calorie deficit?

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